JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A routine Jacksonville City Council meeting quickly escalated into a heated debate that extended late into the night, driven by discussions over the tentative millage rate and budget.

The meeting, which commenced at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, lasted over six hours and was still ongoing at 11 p.m. The council dedicated the initial four and a half hours to addressing and voting on the tentative millage rate and budget. Although they reached a decision on the millage rate, they couldn’t proceed to a vote on the tentative budget, causing the meeting to carry on into the night. 

Tensions heightened when several councilmembers exited the chamber. Rahman Johnson, Jimmy Peluso, Ju’Coby Pittman, and Reggie Gaffney walked out following intense debates about the “Big Beautiful Amendments,” introduced by Councilman Rory Diamond.

These amendments aimed to eliminate funding for immigrants without legal status, abortion services, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The councilmembers who walked out described the language in the amendments as “offensive” and “divisive,” demanding its removal.

However, the effort to remove the bill ultimately failed. 

Councilman Johnson articulated his reasons for leaving, stating, “For me it was just a gut reaction. What I heard in those amendments was that people that look like me don’t exist, and I just couldn’t sit there hearing that again. I’m gonna keep fighting, whether it be standing up and walking to get attention, whatever it takes, I’m gonna do my part to make sure the voices of everybody are heard.”

Johnson said Mayor Donna Deegan called him later that evening to check in after the walkout.

The walkout prompted immediate reaction from remaining councilmembers, with Councilman Raul Arias questioning whether the move had been organized.

Councilman Diamond, who drafted the amendments, responded on Twitter shortly after the incident: “A minority of the Jax Council [is] trying to hold our budget hostage so they can keep DEI, services for illegals, and taxpayer funded abortion in the budget.”

The four councilmembers returned to their seats about an hour later, and discussions on the budget resumed. In a 10–8 vote, council ultimately passed the tentative millage rate proposed by Mayor Deegan, set at 11.3169 mills. The decision came after three voting attempts. On the final round, the vote was tied 9–9 until Councilman Salem switched his vote from no to yes to allow proceedings to continue. 

Nothing is set in stone until the budget is passed. The full council will vote on the budget and related items on September 23 at 3 p.m. at City Hall.